Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 13

It was only about ten minutes after Taehyung left when Clara heard a knock on the suite door. She was still holding the little cub when she went to answer, expecting to see Yoonseo outside.

"Clara!" Sooyun was crying outside the door hoping to find a moment alone with the twins mother, "I'm so sorry. You have to believe me! I really didn't mean to cause all this trouble. Please forgive me!"

Clara was stunned into silence. She really wasn't expecting to see Sooyun on her doorstep and she wasn't quite sure what to say.

"You have to believe me. You do believe me right? You know how much I love the boys. Please let me see them, just for a moment. I feel terrible that I didn't even get to properly say goodbye."

Clara was dumbstruck. Sooyun really wasn't supposed to be here. She hadn't even thought about what she might say to her if she suddenly showed up. I mean, everything was just so complicated right now.

"Oh, uh, Sooyun. I'm sorry, I wasn't really expecting you." Clara stuttered out.

"Please Clara, I'm sure you know that I didn't mean for anything bad to happen. I'm sorry to barge in like this but I really miss the twins. I know I shouldn't be here but could you let me see them please? I really feel like I owe them a goodbye."

"Um..." Clara wasn't really sure what could be said. "I don't really think it is best for you to be here right now."

"Just for a minute. Please? I promise...then I'll be on my way." Sooyun's hands were gripped together begging Clara to let her in.

Clara really wasn't sure what to say. Sooyun was looking at her with pleading eyes and she didn't really feel like she could tell her no. After all I would just be a moment and then she would leave. And it didn't really seem like she would leave otherwise.

"Ok, but really just for a minute. Then I think you need to leave. I don't think it is a good idea for you to be here right now."

Sooyun bustled into the room past Clara and quickly grabbed the little tiger from the floor.

"Hey my beautiful boy. Did you miss me? I missed you. I'm so sorry that we have to be apart. Just know that if I could do anything about it we would be together. I love you, ok?"

Clara stood back feeling incredibly uncomfortable. Was it really appropriate for Sooyun to be talking to the boys like this after all the trouble she had caused?

After setting the little tiger back down Sooyun reached her hands out for the little cub and without thinking Clara handed him to Sooyun, too shocked to do anything else.

"Oh my darling little cub. I missed you so much. I hope your mama is treating you ok. Even if you are sad because I'm not here, please be nice to her. And make sure you tell your daddy that I'm sorry and he should forgive me, ok?"

Sooyun covered the little cub with kisses before handing him back to Clara as promised.

"Really Clara, I'm so sorry this blew up. You have to know that I never intended this to happen. Will you please tell Taehyung that I didn't mean for anything like this? Really, I'm not sure I will ever have peace until I know that he has forgiven me. Will you please ask him for me? I'm begging you as a friend."

Clara was so overwhelmed by everything that was happening that she barely could get a thought in. "Oh...ok, I guess?" She eventually muttered out.

"Thanks Clara. You are such a good person and such a good friend. The fact that you are willing to talk to Taehyung for me is another sign of how kind you are. Please just don't forget ok?"

Clara hadn't even had the time to respond when she heard another rap on the door.

"Uh, excuse me. I think I need to answer that." Clara brushed past Sooyun to open the door.

Yoonseo greeted her with a big smile and slipped in the open door. But when he saw Sooyun in the room his welcoming smile was quickly replaced with a frown. "What are you doing here? Didn't you have instructions to stay in your room?"

Sooyun bowed in apology. "I'm so sorry, I just wanted to tell Clara how sorry I was and to quickly see the boys. I'll be on my way now." Continuing to bow in respect, Sooyun quickly slipped out the door, closing it gently behind her.

Clara stood there feeling awkward in the silence. Was Yoonseo angry at her for letting Sooyun into the suite? Would she be in trouble?

Yoonseo could see her troubled expression. "Are you alright Clara? I'm sorry you had to deal with that alone."

Clara shook her head, "No, we're fine. It was just unexpected so I wasn't really sure what to do."

Clara returned her attention to more pressing issues. They were leaving the city in two days and she knew that she was now on her own getting the twins things packed and organized. She'd need to organize a laundry service, ensure they had plenty of milk and formula for the travel, sort and put their things in the luggage, and start to adjust the twins schedule so they would be ready to go. She'd become so accustomed to having several helping hands around that she'd forgotten how much work it would be, particularly while she had to keep track of the twins at the same time.

Yoonseo was constantly offering to help with the twins, the packing, or anything else that was needed, but after the shock of what Sooyun had done Clara simply wasn't really sure who she could trust anymore. So she politely declined each offer and kept the boys in her sight at all times.

Needing to take care of the boys made her therapy appointment that day impossible but her doctor was understanding and offered to reschedule for another time. Clara decided she'd hold off on taking a shower until Taehyung was back, afraid to leave the boys unattended with someone she didn't really know.

By the time Taehyung got back late that night Clara was nodding off while trying to read a book. He carefully took the book from her hands and set it on the bedside table, giving her a small kiss on the temple.

"Sweetheart, why are you still up? You should be sleeping by now don't you think?"

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry, I must have dozed off for a minute. If you don't mind, I'd like to take a quick shower, is that ok?"

"Sure baby girl, whatever you want. Should I come help you?"

Clara blushed and shied away. "No thank you. If you can just keep an eye on the boys please. It was a little busy today and I didn't have a chance to wash up earlier."

Taehyung nodded his confirmation and watched Clara walk into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. He quickly opened the bedroom door back into the main suite to ask Yoonseo how the day had gone.

"It was fine. I offered to help but Clara seemed like she'd rather keep the boys so I just made sure I was available if she needed me. She was rather busy for most of the day, it made me realize that it is a lot of work to have twins. Maybe she just needs time to get comfortable but hopefully I can be of more assistance in the future."

Yoonseo bowed to Taehyung repeatedly, Taehyung responded with a small smile of assurance. "Thanks for watching out for my family today. I'm going to go get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning."

With both offering polite bows they headed their own ways, ready to sleep after a long and exhausting day. It was only a few minutes later when Clara came back into the room wearing her pajamas and crawled under the covers next to Taehyung.

"I love you," Taehyung murmured to Clara while scooting closer so he could hold her tight against him. He always slept best when she was tucked close in his arms. He heard her hum in return but within seconds she was sound asleep.

"Ok sweetheart, sleep tight."